Terms of Service

Last updated: 2026-03-25

GemCities is a free Gemini capsule hosting service operated by Nick Burchett. By creating an account, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, do not use the service.

What GemCities Is

GemCities provides hosting for Gemini capsules — text-based sites served over the Gemini protocol. You get a subdomain (username.gemcities.com), a web-based editor, and nothing else. There are no analytics, no ads, no social features, and no tracking of any kind. The service is free and supported by donations.

Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use GemCities. By creating an account, you confirm that you meet this requirement. If you are under 18, you represent that a parent or guardian has reviewed and agreed to these terms on your behalf.

Your Account

You are responsible for your account. Specifically:

• Provide an accurate email address at registration. It is used for account verification and password reset only.
• Keep your password secure. Do not share your account with others.
• You are responsible for all content published under your account.
• One account per person. Do not create additional accounts to evade a suspension.

Content Rules

You may publish any content that is lawful and does not violate the rules below. These rules are short and unambiguous by design.

The following content is prohibited:

• Illegal content of any kind. This includes but is not limited to child sexual abuse material (CSAM), content that violates federal or applicable state law, and content that facilitates illegal acts.
• Threats and harassment. Content designed to threaten, intimidate, or harass a specific individual or group of individuals.
• Hate speech. Content that attacks or degrades people based on protected characteristics such as race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
• Doxxing. Posting private personal information about another person — home address, phone number, workplace, financial details, or similar — without their consent and with intent to harm.
• Copyright infringement. Reproducing substantial portions of copyrighted works without authorization. See our DMCA Policy for how takedown notices are handled.

The Gemini protocol carries only text. There are no images, no scripts, and no embeds. These rules address the realistic content risks on a text-only platform.

Enforcement

GemCities is operated by one person. Moderation is done in good faith, not algorithmically.

• A single policy-violating file may be removed with notice to the account holder.
• Repeated violations will result in account suspension and removal of all content.
• CSAM will be removed immediately, reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) via the CyberTipline as required by federal law, and result in a permanent ban.
• Credible threats of violence will be removed immediately and may be reported to law enforcement.

Abuse reports can be submitted at Report Abuse. We aim to review and respond within 48 hours.

GemCities is a passive hosting provider. We do not create, select, or develop the content that users publish. Our decisions to remove content or take enforcement action are made at our discretion; they do not constitute editorial adoption of any user content we choose to leave up, and they do not waive our right to take action in the future.

Repeat Copyright Infringers

Accounts that receive two or more valid DMCA takedown notices are subject to permanent suspension. See the DMCA Policy for the full procedure, including how to file a counter-notice.

Service Availability

GemCities is provided as-is, without any guarantee of uptime or continuity. We will make reasonable efforts to keep the service running and to give advance notice of planned downtime or service termination. If the service is ever shut down permanently, we will provide at least 30 days notice and a way to export your content.

Content Ownership and Export

You own the content you publish. GemCities claims no rights over it. You can export all your capsule files at any time from the editor with one click. We do not hold your content hostage.

By publishing content on GemCities, you grant us a limited license to store and serve that content over the Gemini protocol. This license ends when you delete the content or your account.

Privacy

Our Privacy Policy explains what we collect (very little) and what we do not collect (almost everything). It is part of these terms by reference.

Disclaimer of Warranties

GemCities is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We do not warrant that the service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components. Use the service at your own risk.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, GemCities and its operator will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the service or your inability to use it, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Our total liability for any claim arising from these terms or your use of the service will not exceed the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim — which, since the service is free, is zero.

Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless GemCities and its operator, Nick Burchett, from and against any claims, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) your use of the service; (b) content you publish on GemCities; (c) your violation of these terms; or (d) your violation of any third-party right, including any intellectual property right or privacy right. This obligation survives termination of your account and of these terms.

Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Kansas, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising from these terms or your use of GemCities will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Kansas, and you consent to personal jurisdiction there.

Dispute Resolution

If you have a dispute with GemCities, please contact us first at abuse@gemcities.com. Most issues can be resolved quickly through direct communication, and we will make a good-faith effort to resolve any dispute informally before either party pursues formal legal action.

If informal resolution fails, disputes will be resolved in the courts identified in the Governing Law section above. Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking injunctive or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction where necessary to prevent irreparable harm.

Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the date at the top of this page. Continued use of the service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised terms. We will not make these terms materially less protective of users without clear notice.

Contact

Questions about these terms: abuse@gemcities.com